letter from the editor
Also in this issue
A gentler start The long-term care toll LTC in Canada needs a radical overhaul. But what about the families who rely on the system right now? (page 36)
30 days of salads I hate meal planning, but thanks to our food director, Irene Ngo, I now know what I’m eating for the next month. (page 50)
Can CBT make healthy habits stick? Whether you want to sleep better, exercise more or finally stop smoking, it could be the ticket. (page 31)
Maureen Halushak @maureenhalushak letters@chatelaine.com How to update a room via Zoom Want to redo your space but don’t know where to start? Consider a virtual design service. (page 26)
6
CHATELAINE • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022
HAIR, KIRSTEN KLONTZ FOR HOT TOOLS PROFESSIONAL CANADA.
I TYPICALLY DON’T MAKE RESOLUTIONS, although who can deny the promise of a shiny new year? While I’m not planning a complete renovation of my character in 2022—as much as I might need one—there are a few things I’ve been thinking about as we’ve been putting this issue together. Both are inspired by an album I’ve been listening to a lot lately, Brandi Carlile’s In These Silent Days. I’m a writer and editor, so it’s no surprise that what I’m drawn to most from the musicians I love—from Waxahatchee to William Prince to Taylor Swift (unapologetic fan here)—are the lyrics. I’ve been listening to In These Silent Days on my lunchtime dog walks through the woods near my house, and some of Carlile’s words have stopped me in my tracks, from the line “Make me kind again” in “Mama Werewolf” to the entirety of “Stay Gentle” (one standout verse: “Don’t let the world make you callous / Be ready to laugh / No one’s forgotten about us / There is light on your path”). So if there’s anything I’m resolving to do in 2022, it’s to keep these words in mind. Life is busy and overwhelming and scary for all of us, and it’s easy to let kindness and wonder fall by the wayside. I know I’ve been guilty of that in the past, and I’d like to be a little less so as I move forward. (As a side note, if you like female folk-rock with a country lilt, you’ll love Brandi Carlile.) As we venture into 2022 together, I’d also like to thank you for reading Chatelaine. We are beyond grateful to our subscribers, whether you’re reading us in print, on Apple News+ or via our slate of newsletters. We’re an incredibly small team who love what we do, and your support makes that possible. Our resolution for 2022 is to keep telling the stories that matter to Canadian women, in addition to delivering no-BS, science-based health advice, highlighting our favourite homegrown brands and makers, and—of course— bringing you loads of recipes for weeknights and special occasions that are both delicious and doable. What would you like to see more of from Chatelaine this year? Send us a note—I read every single one.
